Too Late, Mr. Cooper: Your Bride Ran with Your Baby novel Chapter 422

Mr. Hart chuckled a few times to ease the awkwardness, then turned up the volume on the TV to cover the tense atmosphere.

Liliana didn't object further.

She simply acted as if Linton, a man well over six feet tall, was invisible. She treated him like thin air, not sparing him a single glance for the rest of the meal.

Raising her glass, Liliana smiled. "Dad, Mom, Gabriel, Marry Christmas!"

The family cheerfully toasted each other, the atmosphere becoming surprisingly harmonious, as if the unpleasant little incident had never happened.

Linton knew his place.

He had eaten at the Hart family home many times before, so he knew his way around. He went to the kitchen and got a set of utensils he used to use, surprised they hadn't been thrown out after the engagement was broken.

Linton obediently sat at the far end of the table, far from everyone else, as if he were in a separate section. It was a rather bleak sight.

But he didn't make a fuss.

Like Liliana, he treated himself as invisible. He didn't join the toasts or speak. He kept his head down in a timid, silent posture, only taking food from the one or two dishes directly in front of him.

If Liliana seemed to enjoy a particular dish and took several helpings, he wouldn't touch it, afraid of upsetting her.

The tall man was hunched over in the corner of the dining table, looking like a chastened child. He quietly ate his rice, not disturbing anyone, his presence barely felt.

Gabriel glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, the corner of his mouth twitching. He looked down for a few seconds, then coolly picked up his wine glass and gently clinked it against Linton's.

"Marry Christmas."

Linton was stunned. He looked up in disbelief, quickly swallowed a mouthful of plain rice, and raised his glass, replying in a hushed voice.

"Marry Christmas."

Gabriel was at a loss for words.

He rolled his eyes internally, thinking with detached coolness—

*This guy is acting so shifty.*

In front of the woman he loved, he was utterly debased, his every move cautious and humble to the extreme. All his sharp edges and pride had been worn down, leaving him like a stray dog that no one wanted.

Mrs. Hart frowned. She didn't dare put food in his bowl, but she discreetly pushed a few of the meat dishes closer to him, trying not to be too obvious and upset Liliana.

Fortunately, Liliana didn't say anything else for the entire meal, cheerfully chatting and celebrating with her family.

The dinner table settled into a strangely harmonious and warm atmosphere.

Linton, huddled in his corner eating rice, would occasionally steal a glance at Liliana's bright, radiant smile. His dark eyes softened, and a deep, affectionate curve formed on his lips.

Linton was actually quite easy to please. He felt an almost overwhelming sense of joy, and his sharp, handsome features softened.

Even if he was a stray dog that no one wanted, someone had taken him in.

It didn't matter if it was dignified or not.

At least he had a home for the night.